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Since this forum is more for us canucks i figure id join and read up on the car and ask the questions i had that i hope some ppl will chime in about.

I am thinking of getting a e39 2000-2002 530i. My main questions are.

- reliablility wise and maintenance per year what are the costs/issues i am looking at.
- are there any recurring flaws that are unfixable?
- how is the car in snow with snow tires i would probably put hte nokian hakkapelitas.

if you want to get a 530i, get a 01-03 e39, lower than 01 have older features

it's impossible to get a 530i before 2001, because they came out in 2001

Quote:

Originally Posted by porksoda

Ah thanx for the input... will look 2001 and up then.

how is the 530i in snow.

I am finding lot more 540is for sale compared to the 530i.

you are going to find more 540's because they've been out from 97-03 and people want more power, 530's only came out from 01-03, but the 530 does handle better because it has a steering rack instead of a recirculating ball like the 540 has.

If you're looking at an E39, check out Kijiji for ones with a bit of mileage on them. 97-00 are going for good prices. 01-03 can still be in the high 20s to 30s depending on the mileage. If you're willing to spend that much then might as well go for a CPO'd 02-03. Some 03s still have the original warranty plus the CPO warranty after that. My warranty expired at 80K a few months ago and now I'm at the CPO warranty and I have to pay a $50 deductible per visit.

Intil I drove the E39, I've been a big Honda/ Acura fan for years, last one was a Type-S TL. The E39 (to me) is the epitome of the Ultimate Driving Machine, A true driver's car.. My opinion, much better so than the 3 series.

Coming from an Acura which had a very good VSA traction control. the BMW DSC is WAY better. I found out when I turned DSC off when the roads were a bit slippery. I now understand how much control the DSC has in providing a safe drive.
The E39 is a well engineered car, but to some it may be over-engineered.